Federal Reserve Uniform Cash Access Policy

Each depository institution with a banking presence in a Federal Reserve office territory can designate up to 10 offices in that territory to receive free cash access (deposit and order) service from the local Reserve Bank office.

Beyond the 10 offices, Reserve Bank offices will provide free cash access to endpoints whose volumes exceed a specified threshold and that satisfy the local Reserve Bank office’s denomination bundle standard. Each Reserve Bank office will set a “high bundle threshold,” within the range of 50 to 100 bundles, to accommodate the needs of the geographic area being serviced within that Federal Reserve office territory. If a depository institution receives free access for more than 10 endpoints, all endpoints must meet the high bundle threshold.

Normal free access for each designated office of the depository institution will be once per week. Access more frequent than once per week will be available free of charge to each designated office whose volume exceeds a 20-bundle aggregate threshold and that satisfies the local Reserve Bank office’s denomination bundle standard.

Reserve Bank offices may choose to accommodate additional access where the demand exists subject to the constraints of the physical facilities at each Reserve Bank office. Reserve Banks must price access to cash services beyond the free service described above, if offered.

The director of the Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems, under delegated authority, may (1) approve changes in the base number of free endpoints and the volume thresholds and (2) waive the policy for a limited period if warranted by special circumstances, such as a natural disaster or the introduction of new currency.